These homeowners live in a traditional two-story home and do a lot of entertaining. To meet their lifestyle needs, Wood Wise designed and crafted a new open floor plan on the first floor – opening the formal dining room and den to the kitchen, creating cooking and entertainment space.
More room and a face-lift was at the top of the wish-list for these homeowners. After looking at several Wood Wise design options they decided on this two-story addition which features a family room and new guest room upstairs and new kitchen, mudroom and laundry on the first floor. For outdoor meals and relaxing, a beautiful courtyard patio was added.
These homeowners entertain often, hosting numerous neighbors and friends. Improving the awkward layout of the kitchen was a major driver for the project. After working through several designs, the problem was solved. By relocating several interior walls Wood Wise was able to join the kitchen and family room. With the new plan and new finishes the kitchen is truly the heart of their home with its big, beautiful island. Now the house is perfect for entertaining.
The kitchen arrangement in this home encouraged the small cabinet to become the drop zone for all the family stuff. Combined with the “decorated” refrigerator, the result was uninviting. The homeowners asked Wood Wise to give the kitchen a fresh look that would encourage entertaining and enjoyment by the family. Check out the beautiful transformation below:
Nestled among the trees this screen porch puts these homeowners in touch with the sights and sounds of nature. Horizontal pipe railing allows for clear views and adds a contemporary touch. The fireplace backed by a wall of stone ensures longer use of the porch as nights become cooler. This space has become the restful get-away for these homeowners while staying at home.
These homeowners wanted an updated kitchen to match their family and entertaining needs. They also wanted the look of their new kitchen to be in keeping with their older home. Our designer Kathy provided a great floor plan and helped them choose color and material selections that result in just the right blend of old and new. Carerra marble on the countertops, subway tile backsplash, and the farmhouse sink give a vintage look. The new floors, fresh green paint, new cabinets and appliances complete the combination. The homeowners are now ready to share good times with family and friends.
Wood Wise completed a first project for these homeowners consisting of a sunroom, screen porch, and deck. When it was time to update their kitchen they knew they could trust Wood Wise for another successful project and remodeling experience. With a great design by Kathy Walker, Wood Wise’s designer, and the use of natural materials these homeowners have a warm and inviting kitchen ready for entertaining.
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| Raleigh Design-Build Firms |
This historic house needed a total make over. The Wood Wise challenge was to make it comfortable for a modern family of four. A rickety interior stairwell was sealed up to a crawlspace which improved the smell in the house and provided valuable living space. All but two of the windows and all exterior doors were replaced. New doors seal properly but maintain the old house charm. Two bathrooms and the funky kitchen were gutted and renovated; a master suite was created on the first floor by combining a porch, the space from the old basement stairs, and a hall area with a small bedroom. A new laundry found a home in the location of an ill-placed screen porch next to the kitchen. All the floors were refinished, all ceilings made smooth and the whole house was painted. See the results:
Over our 22+ years of remodeling homes, Wood Wise Design & Remodeling has listened to our clients. Combining design and construction in one place is a result of this listening and has made a winning combination for homeowners. The advantages of this new design-build concept are explained in an article by Hank Wall, president of Wood Wise, in our latest e-newsletter. You can read it here:
Renovation Design: New vs. Old
by Hank Wall, President of Wood Wise Design & Remodeling
The new model for getting renovations designed is called design-build, when one company has both construction and design under one roof with a streamlined process overseeing all the steps. The project-long relationships grow from first meeting through each stage of design and renovation. Everyone is working together to create a successful project instead of the disconnect between the separate builder and the architect.
Residential design-build companies frequently employ a mix of home designers, kitchen and bath designers, project managers, selections experts, and carpenters. Homeowners prefer this approach. With the planning of selections (tile, faucets, lighting, etc.) integrated into the overall design they enjoy reduced stress and fewer scheduling fiascos.
“The stress of decision overload is reduced since your design team leads you step-by-step. “
Successful design-build has a built-in decision process. Homeowners are guided through the complex process. The stress of decision overload is reduced since your design team leads you step-by-step. Their goal is a successful project.
With design-build the renovation cost discussions are woven into the design and planning all along. Knowing costs early helps inform the design process. The old model postponed clarity regarding costs until the design was completed and homeowners received bids from construction companies that had no role in design.
“The goal is a successful project.”
A successful remodeling project needs good communication day to day. At Wood Wise we have increased our success rate to nearly straight A’s since we adopted the design-build model.
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